I’ve always been fascinated by how a simple grocery list can tell you so much about a place.
Think about it: our food choices, local availability, market competition, and even government policies all converge in the humble shopping basket.
And if you’ve ever traveled somewhere and felt a delightful sting of guilt at checkout — because you’re paying what seems like pocket change for a cart full of produce — you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Below are 7 countries where a grocery run can be so cheap, it might leave you feeling a tad guilty.
1. Pakistan
If you’re after an extremely budget-friendly destination, you’ll find it here.
Whenever I hear about how low prices can go in Pakistan, I’m reminded of my early marketing career, where we’d do cost-of-living comparisons for client campaigns.
The data was shocking then, and it still is.
According to Numbeo, Pakistan’s grocery-price index is around 17 points — meaning groceries are roughly 83% cheaper than what you’d pay in the U.S.
That’s not just thrifty — that’s “double-check-the-receipt” territory.
It’s not uncommon to find everyday staples like lentils, rice, and seasonal vegetables at prices that would have many foreign travelers doing a double take.
If you ever wander through a local market in Karachi or Lahore, you’ll see an abundance of fresh produce that hardly dents your wallet.
Factor in the generous culture — vendors often toss in extra herbs or spices for free — and you’ll realize it’s more than just cheap groceries; it’s the entire experience of hospitality and warmth that sticks with you.
2. India
India has always been a land of culinary variety, where entire dishes can cost less than your average coffee in major Western cities.
In my twenties, a friend of mine spent six months in Delhi, and she couldn’t stop raving about how fresh, vibrant, and, yes, wildly affordable the food was.
If we rely on Expatistan, it’s possible to find a liter of milk for about $0.70, and a kilo of tomatoes for under $0.60.
When you factor in how Indians love cooking with fresh produce—lots of onions, tomatoes, garlic, chilies—it feels like you’re walking into a budget shopper’s dream.
One day, my friend said she filled her cart with fresh veggies, lentils, and spices for a fraction of what she’d pay back home.
Now, I’m not suggesting you move across the world just to save on groceries, but the temptations are real when you see how far a few dollars can stretch.
3. Turkey
I’ve personally spent a short stint in Istanbul, and to this day, I can’t forget the sweet cherry tomatoes I bought from a small neighborhood market every other morning.
Turkey, bridging both Europe and Asia, has access to diverse produce year-round.
Because of its agricultural capacity and competitive local markets, grocery prices can be impressively low, especially if you venture beyond major tourist districts.
Meat products — while not as cheap as certain vegetables or grains — can still be found at prices that beat many Western countries. But what really stands out is the sheer variety of fruits, nuts, and spices.
Pistachios, dried figs, or saffron might cost you a small fortune elsewhere, but if you’re in Turkey, you can indulge without that nagging feeling of overspending.
If you ever find yourself there, I highly recommend hitting a local bazaar; the energy alone is worth the trip.
4. Romania
Romania is a bit of a hidden gem in Europe’s cost-of-living landscape.
People usually think of places like Spain or Portugal as “budget-friendly,” but Romania often flies under the radar — yet it might offer some of the best bargains in the EU.
Researchers from the European Commission found that Romania has the least expensive food and soft drinks in the European Union, sitting noticeably lower than the average price level across the bloc.
In cities like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca, you’ll see rows of food stalls offering fresh veggies and fruits in season for prices that might make you do a double-take.
Think tomatoes at a fraction of the cost you’d pay elsewhere in Europe, or artisanal cheeses that don’t crush your budget.
I remember a colleague of mine who visited Bucharest for a conference and texted me in awe at how cheap her grocery trip ended up being — especially considering she was able to grab local wines, cheeses, and pastries all in one go.
5. Vietnam
I’ve mentioned this before but I’m a sucker for a good Vietnamese pho, and if you’re a fan of light, healthy, and fresh cuisine, you’d probably love it here too.
The great thing about Vietnam is that the cost of living stays relatively low even in bigger cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
In fact, food prices here rose just 3.8% year-on-year in early 2025, which is modest enough to keep daily groceries at an accessible range.
One personal highlight was a market stroll I took in Ho Chi Minh City a while back. I was amazed by how many herbs—basil, mint, cilantro — were being sold for the equivalent of pennies.
I remember feeling a bit guilty because at home, I’d pay a premium for a small bundle of fresh herbs. It’s the sort of place where, if you love cooking at home, you can experiment with dozens of traditional dishes without worrying about the cost of ingredients.
6. Mexico
When I visited Mexico City a few years back, I discovered that a single grocery run can fuel a week’s worth of delicious meals. Fresh tortillas, avocados, tomatoes, chilies, and all kinds of fragrant spices line the market stalls.
The prices can be astonishing, especially if you venture outside tourist areas and shop where locals go.
In many places, a dozen eggs will set you back far less than in most Western cities, and the abundance of affordable street food is an extra perk.
I once bought so many mangoes from a vendor (because the deal was impossible to resist) that I had to come up with creative smoothie recipes for a week straight. Mind you, I felt zero regret—only that pinch of guilt from how cheap it all was.
On top of that, the sense of community in local Mexican markets is incredible. It reminds me that cheap groceries are just one piece of a bigger cultural puzzle — community, tradition, and a strong sense of flavor.
7. Egypt
Last but not least, let’s look at Egypt.
From a traveler’s perspective, the market experience alone is something to write home about, with vendors calling out daily deals in open-air bazaars.
During my short stay in Cairo, I realized that produce like onions, peppers, and leafy greens are sold at a fraction of the price you might expect.
And it’s not just about produce — bread, particularly the famous Egyptian flatbread (aish baladi), comes freshly baked and sold in big bundles for next to nothing.
Part of what keeps costs low is the local reliance on staple items like beans, rice, and vegetables, which are all readily available. While living there, you might find yourself spending more on entertainment than groceries, which is somewhat the opposite of what happens in some Western cities.
It’s definitely a lesson in how different cultural priorities shape everyday costs. If you’re ever exploring Egypt, keep an eye on the local markets — you might need to remind yourself to keep tipping vendors fairly because the deals can feel almost too good.
Putting it all together
Grocery prices might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of life decisions, but they can reveal a lot about economic structures, cultural values, and even how people connect over a meal.
In some of these countries — Pakistan, India, Turkey, Romania, Vietnam, Mexico, and Egypt — a trip to the market can feel almost surreal if you’re used to higher prices back home.
But that little twinge of guilt at the checkout line often shifts to gratitude for the experience and the cultural richness that comes along with it.
Now, I’m not suggesting you uproot your life purely for cheaper food, but there’s something exciting about knowing these options exist.
Whether you’re a digital nomad considering a new base, a curious traveler, or simply daydreaming about an adventure, I hope this list gives you insight into places where your dollar goes incredibly far.
After all, life’s too short not to explore, taste new flavors, and marvel at the wonderful diversity of our global grocery aisles. Safe travels — and happy bargain hunting.
